Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to use counseling services?
Counseling services are paid for through student tuition and fees. No additional payment is required for students to use these services.

What does "confidential" mean?
Confidential counseling means that when you start talking with one of our counselors, everything you say will stay between you and your counselor, unless you report that you are going to hurt yourself, someone else, mention child abuse of a minor, or have been assigned to attend sessions as part of a judicial sanction. Unless you sign a form giving us permission to speak to someone, we cannot disclose any information to anyone. The Wellness Center does everything it can to protect your right to confidential treatment.

How qualified are the counselors?
The counselors at the Wellness Center are top notch, professional counselors with years of experience. They have at least a masters degree in counseling, and have held positions in various mental health settings and college campuses. Most important, the counselors care about making sure our students get help when they need it.

I'm already seeing a counselor at home. What should I do when I come to Green Mountain?
Come to the Wellness Center when you get settled on campus and speak with one of the counselors. Typically we will ask you to sign a release of information so we can consult with your present counselor to make the shift between counselors as smooth as possible. In some cases we will assign you a counselor here at the center; in other cases, depending upon what your present counselor recommends, we may refer you to a counselor in the area who is better able to meet your individual needs.

I've never seen a counselor before. What can I expect?
You can expect a professional, confidential experience from the time you make your first appointment. When you arrive for your first appointment, we ask that you fill out a short piece of paperwork and sign a statement that you understand our confidentiality policy. During the first session, your counselor will most likely ask lots of questions in order to get to know you. There are no right or wrong answers; we are not here to judge you but to simply try to understand you. The more direct information you give us, the more helpful we can be. We may help you find solutions, but we will not tell you what to do. We value the individuality of every human being and encourage you to share as much or as little with us as you like. In many ways, you will shape the direction your experience takes.

How do I know if I should see a counselor?
Everyone goes through a time in his or her life where having a neutral person to talk things over with would be beneficial. At the Wellness Center, we believe you do not need to be on the verge of hurting yourself or someone else before you come see us; in fact, we encourage you to come as soon as you notice there might be a problem. If you notice anything out of the ordinary for you, it is best to come in and meet with a counselor and discuss the situation in order to alleviate it.

What sort of issues do people talk about in counseling?
Anything that happens in life is fair game for counseling, but some common things people come talk to us about are: depression, homesickness, loneliness, trouble transitioning into college, self-esteem, relationship struggles, anxiety, surviving abuse, academic difficulties, questions about sexuality and sexual orientation, nutrition and eating disorders, rape and sexual assault, spiritual growth, stress management, substance abuse and awareness, and general wellness concerns. If it is important to you, we are here to listen.

Can you prescribe antidepressants or other drugs at the wellness center?
Counselors here are not able to prescribe medication, but we will work with the campus doctor or other medical/psychiatric professionals in the area to make sure that medication needs are met.

Does the Wellness Center offer counseling or therapy over the internet?
While many popular and well-respected service providers are now offering counseling via e-mail or via electronic link-ups, the wellness center recognizes that e-mail is not a secure form of communication and therefore does not conduct mental health services over the computer. Further, we believe a certain level of healing takes place from meeting face to face with a counselor in real time, and therefore encourage students to meet us in person. We will, however, answer all inquiries by computer and will encourage people to make an appointment to come into the Center.

How can I obtain copies of my health, immunization or counseling records?
If you are a former or current student at Green Mountain College and would like to obtain copies of the following records, either for school, work, or personal reasons, please complete the entire Authorization for Release of Information form and fax or mail it to the Wellness Center:

Medical History/Medical Records

Immunization Records

Counseling/Mental Health Records

If you have any questions about completing the form, please contact the Wellness Center at 802-287-8376.

PHOTO SLIDESHOWWellness at GMCView a slideshow with images from activities sponsored by GMC's Wellness Center.